Rolling Stones return to London's Hyde Park after 44 years

The last time iconic rock band the Rolling Stones took the stage at Hyde Park in London was July 5, 1969. It took a full 44 years and one day before they returned Saturday (July 6) for a bit of a homecoming.

Before the show began, footage from that original concert played for the audience to welcome the Stones. From there, they played through a long list of hits, including "Start Me Up," "Gimme Shelter," "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."

The show was, of course, well-received was fans in attendance, but even the band had a great time. According to a writer at
Billboard, he'd never "seen them all smile so much on stage, nor maintain quite such momentum throughout two hours of classic hits." Front man
Mick Jagger echoed that idea with a
tweet, reading, "What a great audience at last night's show, & such a beautiful sunset."

The band will return to Hyde Park one more time for what is currently scheduled to be the last date on their "50 & Counting" tour, celebrating 50 years as a band. That show will be July 13.